This is a BLOG from Mark Cochrane of Business Strategies Group in Hong Kong. We've been keeping a close watch on B2B media and business information in Asia since 2000 and look forward to sharing insights with you.

Organised by UBM Asia, the trade fair opened on 19th September at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE), which will run through to 23rd September for exhibiting products in raw materials, packaging, tools and equipment. Other products in the fine jewellery section are held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 21st to 25th September. The co-located event reportedly occupies more than 130,000 m2 of exhibition space in total.

The main two pavilions in the event this year are the Diamond Pavilion and Fine Design Pavilion, and together features over 430 exhibitors and 17,000 m2 of exhibition space. UBM claims Chinese and Indian buyers are amongst the most active this year as European and U.S. markets continues to shrink.

Celine Lau, director of Jewellery Fairs, UBM Asia, was quoted in the company news release, “Chinese and Indian markets are becoming major driving forces of global jewellery demand... We have 3,454 exhibitors – around 8% rise on last year. All booths in the fair’s two world-class venues, AWE and HKCEC, are occupied. These record-breaking figures have further strengthened the fair’s position as the world’s number one jewellery event.”

This post is excerpted from BSG's weekly e-newsletter which is part of our subscription research service, BSG Tracker. Visit our website to find out more about this service.You can also follow us on Twitter for all the latest updates.

News this week: The New South Wales (NSW) state government’s plan for a new entertainment and convention centre in Darling Harbour unveiled in July this year have been criticised as “inadequate and needs to be expanded”. The initial proposed plan includes a 12,000 m2 exhibition and banqueting hall, and the demolition of the existing Sydney Entertainment Centre.

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) earlier welcomed the NSW government’s invitation for industry feedback on design concepts for the new Sydney International Convention and Entertainment Centre. Industry players have reportedly voiced their disapproval to government ministers in meetings after the plan was unveiled and have recommended ideas such as creating a precinct from the Harbourside shopping centre to the entertainment centre, and putting a road underground to expand the exhibition hall in width and height.

Roslyn McLeod, managing director of arinex, was quoted saying in the media, “In regards to additional capacity, it really doesn’t deliver… [the plan] does not do what Sydney requires to meet the needs of international conferences and exhibitions.”

This post is excerpted from BSG's weekly e-newsletter which is part of our subscription research service, BSG Tracker. Visit our website to find out more about this service.You can also follow us on Twitter for all the latest updates.

News this week: Global Sources reports all space has been sold out two months prior to its China Sourcing Fair: Fashion Accessories is due to take place from 27th to 30th October this year. The event will be held at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE), where more than 800 booths will feature this year representing a 30% increase from its previous edition.

Tommy Wong, president of Global Sources Exhibitions said, “Quality suppliers in the Greater China region continue to see our show as a unique and highly effective platform for trading with the world’s top fashion buyers. This October Fair will be our largest-ever fashion accessories show. Over 800 booths have been sold out well in advance and this represents a remarkable 30% growth from a year ago.”

This post is excerpted from BSG's weekly e-newsletter which is part of our subscription research service, BSG Tracker. Visit our website to find out more about this service.You can also follow us on Twitter for all the latest updates.